June 24, 2009 - Atlanta, GA to Kingsport, TN

This was the courtyard of our hotel in Atlanta. It seems a bit fancy for us, huh?






Best. KFC. Sign. Ever.


We ate at the Marietta Diner, another DDD spot. UNBELIEVABLE gnocchi.


Get off the road, Peaches! Herb can stay.


Walker, one of our musical selections for the day.


Is this for Peaches?


OH! The sign above is for Jack! Jack complied.


We hope this isn't for Peaches! We like Peaches!


Before


After


Todd wouldn't let us stop even though it was ladies' day!


Um, go Vikings?


Fred and Lamont got out of the junk business.


In Knoxville, we had our second DDD recommendation of the day, pizza with homemade sausage and fresh green peppers. It was good for breakfast the next day too!




DUCK!


Tomorrow's charity


Jonesborough, TN, founded 1779. Originally part of NC (and before TN existed), Jonesborough was where they they decided to secede from the Union and make a new state, the State of Franklin. The State of Franklin existed for 4 years. It was the first state created after the original colonies, although Congress never recognized it as a state. We never knew this!


Kingsport, TN, home of the Kingsport Mets (Appalachian League - Rookie). This is the sign-up for the mid-inning competitions. We always wondered how they chose these kids!

These are the Kingsport Mets! Some of them were still in college last month.


The K-Mets are playing the Johnson City Cardinals.


This guy doesn't look so intimidating!


This guy does. Unless those kids are scared of Stephanie?


There's a dog run in the outfield.


The stands


The bullpen and some picnickers


Bowling on the dugout with a basketball. Why not wear a hockey mask too?


Honest, Constable, I didn't mock your mid-inning fun!


And I didn't litter!


The grill and some picnic tables


Sweet Old Bob hooked us up with some frozen bananas hand-dipped in chocolate!


M-O-O-N! First we've seen of it in some time, what with all the storms, clouds and humidity we've encountered so far! It's nice and (relatively) cool up here in the mountains.


Todd and Stephanie and the field, courtesy of Rita. Thanks Rita!


Grandpa, Rita and Catherine. Peek-a-boo!




Todd and Stephanie, courtesy of Shannon.


Hi Shannon! Hi Chris!


The Cardinals beat the Mets in Rookie League that night. In the Majors, the Mets beat the Cardinals 11-0.


The Johnson City Cardinals were happy.


And then they drove away.


Charity of the day: VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
In honor of Tennessee's rich musical heritage (country, blues, soul, rock & roll).
http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/donation

Music of the Day: Inspired by our chance meeting with Jason yesterday, it's Jason Day.

Jason White - a friend of Stephanie's from her days in Cleveland and the Euclid Tavern, now living and working in the music business in Tennessee.
http://www.myspace.com/jasonswhite

Jason Walker - good southern soul music from NYC, from the husband of Stephanie's former co-worker.
http://www.myspace.com/jsonwalker

Plus we revisited IKILLYA and Crimson Orchid, other bands containing Jasons that we heard from earlier in the trip.